Electroplating apparatus.



G. A. LUTZ.

BLEGTROPLATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. 7, 1911.

Patented Apr. 9, 1912.

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APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7| 1811.

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Patented Apr. 9, 1912.

G. A. LUTZ. BLEGTEOPLATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED M1191, 1911.

Patented Apr. 9, 1912.

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G. A. LUTZ. ELEGTROPLATING APPARATUS. APPLIUATIoN Hmm 1111.7. 1911.

Patented Apr. 9, 1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6 l electroplating and has for its 35 trical connections 40 is arplan view of corresponding parts in GEORGE A. LUTZ, PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY,

` LOOM GOMPANY, 0F PORTLAND, MAINE, A

CORPORATION 0F MAINE ELECTROPLATING APPARATUS.

. Specication of Letters Patent.

Application led anuary 7,'1911. Serial No. 601,345.

To all whom 'it my comm:

` Be it known that I, GEORGE A. LU'rz, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Plainfield, in the county of Union 'and State 5 of New Jersey, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements. in Electroplating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relatesto improvements in object to provide a comprehensive system a plating of relatively long articles, such `as pipes and conduits, whereby a. quantity-.of articles may be simultaneously plated with expedition and eiiicienc The nature of my invention and the manner of carrying the same into effect will be more fully hereinafter set forth and then pointed out in the claims.

` Reference is to be had to the accompanyiing drawings forming part hereof, wherein,

Figure 1 is 'a diagrammatic plan view' tanks and devices utiillustrating various'. y

Fig. 2 is a similar view,

-lized in the plating;

enlarged, of tanks shown in Fig. 1, in con` nection with which the electric current is used; Fig. 3 is a sectional view through.

several of the tanks; Fig. 4 is a sectional view through one of the plating tanks; Fig.

5 is an enlarged sectional view, part being through one of the plating tanks; Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of plating tank D; Fig. 'Z is an enlarged detail view illustrating the supports and elecfor the cathode frame or spider; Fig. 8 isa plan view of the cathode frame or spider; Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9, 9, in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a detail sec'- tion of part of the cathode spider; Fig. 11 the plating tank showing broken away,

the cathode spider (a detail section, enlarged, on the line 12, 12,

in Fig. 11.

Similar numerals of reference indicate the several views.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 I provide a tank A to contain metal cleaning material, such as alkali, and I provide means for passing the electric current through the solution in said tank while the alkali. is

cleaningthe articles to be plated; adjacent tank A is a tank B containing hot water,

and at C is a tank containing pickling acid; at D is a tank in which a preliminary or light metal coating, say of copper, may be dapted to the in position; Fig. 12 is,V

vdeposited upon articles to be plated, suit-V,

able means being'provided for passing electric current through the electrolyte in tank D as hereinafter described; at Eis a tank to contain water for cleaning the articles removed from tank D; at F is a tank arranged substantially similarv to tank D in which the inal electro-deposit upon the articles may bemade, and at G is a tank to contain hot water, into which the plated articles are dipped when removedfrom tank F. By the arrangement of parts so far set forth,

ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN CIRCULAR Patented Apr. 9, 1912. l

the articles to be plated-may first be dipped p in the alkali solution in tank A forv asuitable period, during which time electric current flows through the solutionnto aid in dislodging grease and other matter upon the pipes or articles to be plated; the articles apre then immersed in the hot water in tank 3 solution in tank C for a suitable period, andv said articles may be again dipped gin the water in tank B whereupon they are placed in the electrolyte in tank D, to receive a preliminary electro-deposit, as of copper or other suitable metal; the articles are then and then allowed to rest in the pickling` .75.

removed from tank D and immersed in the water in tank E to remove electrolytev and other matter adhering to the articles from the solution in tank D and then said articles are placed in the electrolyte in tank F to receive a desired or final coating of zinc or other metal, and when'the articles are removed from the tank F they are immersed in hot water in tank G ,for iinalcleaning. s i

With the arrangement shown the tank A is made .of metal and is shown provided with an inner hollow or tubular wall A2- (Figs. 1 and 2) serving in the nature of an anode or conductor, the tank A and its inner chamber within wall, A2 containing an alkali solution, such as a solution of potash. The, wall of tank A is connected with one side of an electric circuit, as the positive conductor ,1 thereof, the walls of the tank thus serving in the nature of an anode; the opposite or negative conductor 2 vconnects with one or more metallic supports 3 extending above and shown projecting partly over the tank, which supports are adapted to. receive a cathode spider or frame 4, (Fig. 8) from which articles to he plated are hung. The supports 3 are shown arranged in connection with all of the tanks, and the description thereof to be made-in connecv also provided with a steam -20- solution is effected. Tank pipe leading to tank E 39e-3- Tank tion with. tank D will give an understanding of the general arrangement of such supports in connection withl the various ta At is piping or, .a coil arranged m any suitable manner in tank A. for t e purpose of heating the solution therein, and such pipin mayl have a branch 6 controlled by a suitale valve for admittin live steam into such solution`when req (Figs. 1 and 2). The arrangement is such that when'spider 4-is mounted upon supportsv 3 current will' l flow `from conductor '1 and the walls of the tank through the solutionto the articles hanging from spider or frame 4, andthence from' thespider through cgnductor supports 3v to conductor 2, wherebly. a high eiiciency for. cleaning metal artic es with an alkali B (Fig. 1) is rovided with a' steam. pipe or coil 7 fo heating the water therein, and tank C is coil 7. A water ipe 8 (Fig. 3) is shown provided with a Eranch4 9 leading to tank C and having a branch 10 leading` to tank D. TankD is also shown prpvi ed with a` suitable steam coil or piping 11 therein, (Figs. 1 and 2). At 12 is a` wa ter (see 1 and rovided wlth a suit-` 13 for heating the and at 14 is a water pipe (See F igS F is 'shown a le steam ipe or coll electrolyte t erein, leading'to tankF, land2). vAt 15 is a steampipe leading to. tank .G for heating the water therein. The steam-or water pipes may be 'arranged in any other vsuitable manner and provided with cocks to control the flow. By this means the temperature and strength of the solutions and water used in the operation may be controlled as re` quired. i

The tanks D and F are arranged to obn- -Y tain any desired number' of suspended am,

45' larly, arranged, a descri tank D will s 16, 16", shown concentricall electricall odes, and as both of said may be simition .of parts rece for both tanks.

At 16 (Figs. 3, 4,5, 6 and 7) is a conduc-V tor suspendedv from tank D, as by brackets 17 secured to the tank, to one or more of which brackets the conductor lis connected. From conductor 16 suitable anodes18 are suspended, as byhoo 19 connected with the anodes, whereby said as required. In 4order to han a relatively large number of the tank- I provide several'conductors 16, arranged and connected together, as by one or more con uctors 20 (see Fig. 6), connecting with the conductors 16, 16, 16". ductor 16* is sh wn supported upon posts 21 (Fig. 5) exten upwardly from the bot-l tom'of the tank, t e clips 16 which connect conductor 16n withconductor 20 resting upon said posts. A centrally disposed post for heating the electrolytev tor rods or arms .conductors 16, 16a an vice for raising anodes may be readily` anodes wit The cond 22 (Figs. .3," 4 and which the conductor 1 6 ing said' conductor 161 to .conductor 20. N e'ar the lowerj partof the tank is a bar A24 (Figs. 3,;4 andv 5) sup orted by posts 2 1, and shown provided wit upper face into which the lower ends' of anodes 18 project, wherebysaid anodeslare retained in place.-

A bar or plate 25 :ported on post 22 an groove 25* to receive the lower ends of the corr nding anodes. The arrangement -is such t at the anodes ma. be applied and removed as required' and1 spaces are provided between the several series of anodes into whichspaces the articles plated may be passed,

The cathode spider or 'frame 4 (Figs. 8 yto 1-2) is shown provided with a central metallic late .jor head 4*. lfrom which'conduc- .tor rodi: Y dially and to which said rods are suitably secured.

At 4, 4i are conductors secured to conduc- 4", Jas by clips 4, the conductors 4c being shown annular and of such ensions as to lie res ectively between ,the d) 16, 16", when the splder or frame 4 is placed'over the tank with the ends of its conductor arms 4F restin in the supports 3 (see Fig.'1l).

ead or plate'4al rests, clips 161 hold- A provided with a tackle from anoverhead' craneor other deand lowering and moving the spider about with its attached articles to be plated. The conductors 4c, 4d of the cathodespider or frame 4 are shown provided with suspension devices 4f (Fi 9, 10,and 12), shown inthe form of hooss to whichconduits, p'pes or other' articles as to be plated are suitably attached.

The' cathode spider or frame 4 is to be attached' to supports 3 so as to make electrical contact therewith, the arrangement for which purpose -I have shown being as follows: At. (Figs. 3, 4, 7 and 12) shown located adjacent the corresponding. tank and resting upon Hoor 27, and upon each post is ahead 28, shown provided which adapted to support arms 4b, (see 6, 7 and or pipes to. be.

or arms 4b'project outwardly or rais provided with a rod or. ohook y for connection 'with any suitable with jaws 28a between' is pivotally attached. the support 3 inthe is sho-wn` provided with a hea or cross bar 22 upon a groove 24* in its 26 is a Apost for each support 3 l1). ,Supports 3 are shown provided with recesses or sockets 3a (Fig. 12) in which arms 4b rest Yto retain Said arms in .proper position. FClamping evices are provided arms 4h to supports 3 to provide good electrical contact. The clamping devices I have shown comprise bailsf or arms 29 having cross pins 130 carried inslotted keepers 31 on the under sides of supports 3 (Figs. 7 and in theirupper surfaces" for firmly connectingports by swinging 12,) said bails having heads 3b provided with slots 3 receiving pins 3d carried by ba'ils or arms .29, vand at 32 are levers'hung upon pins 3d and having suitable cam-like faces at their lower ends to engage the heads 3d (Fig. 12.) The arrangement is such that the clamping devices may be moved to one side, as in Fig. 12, free from the arms 4b, to permit the setting of the same upon supports 3 or the removal of the arms therefrom, and the clamping devices may supports 3 to engage arms 4b upon said suplever 32 as required, as indicated in dotted lines-in Fig.v 12, and in full lines in Figs. 6 and 11. The conductor 2 is connected with one or o for which purpose I have shown a block 2a (Figs. 7 and 12) at the end of the conductor adapted to be secured to a contact 3g. on support 3, as by a screw a, whereby conductors 2 may readily be detached from supports 3 .through .After sufficient plating,

' deposited upon the articles,

when desired. The' arms 4b may have copper plates 4g l (Fig. 1,2) 'secured on their under surface to make good electrical connection with the conductors 4c, 4, by means of the clamps 4, and the supports 3 may have copper contact plates 3h secured thereto, while the other parts of the supports may be of steel or iron, whereby strength is provided with' good conducting surface.

When plating of a large number of articles simultaneously is to. be done, such as pipes, conduits and /the like, the anodes are placed in position within the tanks, articles are hung from the cathodes spider orframe, the tanks being suppliedvwith the various solutions or electrolytes, and then the spider is lowered over tank A and rests upon the supports 3, so that the articles will be immersed in the alkali solution, the `current iowihg such solution, the articles and the spider. When the articles have remained in the solution a sufficient length of time,`

the cathode spider is raised .andthe articles are then lowered into the hotwater in tank B, and then the articles are placed in the pickling acid in tank C and they are again immersed in the hot Water in tank B From there the spider is removed and the articles are inserted vin the electrolyte in tank D, the arms of the cathode spider-be- .ing placedl upon'adjacent supports 3 and secured in position by the clamping devices, t-he articles to be plated then being located between the corresponding series of anodes. as a light coating of copper upon the articles, the spider is released and raised from tank D, the articles are immersed in the water in tankE, and then the spider with the articles' is lowered over tank F, the arms of the spider heilig secured to the supports 3 in manner before described, andthe current allowed to flow until. the zinc or other metal is suitably whereupon the be moved alongv more supports 3,

spider is released and removed and the articles immersed inthe hot water in tank Gr for inalcleaning. It will thus be seen that a large number of articles may be put through the several steps required in succession While remaining attached to the cathode spider, merely requiring. the raising and lowering of the spider and the transfer of the same'from tank to tank.

vIt =will be seen that the circuits' 1, 2 of the tanks A, D vand F (Figs. 1 and 2) .are

arranged in multiple and by means of nsuitable switches several of the 4tanks may be Supplied vwith current simultaneously, so that the plating steps maytakel placev simultaneously in diierent tanks with different sets of articles carried by several cathode spiders or frames, whereby the operationI may be carried on expeditiously.

While I have` described various steps of immersing thel articles to be plated in solutions', electrolyte, etc., it will be understood that such steps may bevaried asrequired, also .that changes may bev ymade in the arrangements set forth without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having now described my invention what 1. An electroplating apparatus .comprising a tank, a plurality of conductors spaced apart ad'aoent the tank, means to suspend anodes rom said conductors, a cathode provided with means to suspend articles to' be plated between such anodes, and supports for the cathode adjacent to the wall of the tank and insulated from said' conductors.

2. An electroplating apparatus comprising a tank, a plurality of conductors spaced apart adjacent the tank, means to suspend anodes from said conductors, a cathode provided with means to suspend articles to be plated between such anodes, support-s for the cathode adjacent to the wall ofthe tank and insulated from said conductors, and posts supported adjacent the tank and carrying said supports.

`3. An electroplating apparatus comprising a tank,a plurality of conductors spaced apart adjacent the tank and located in the same circuit, means to suspend anodes from lsaid conductors, a cathode provided with means to suspend articles to be plated between such anodes, supports for Ithe cathode adjacent to the wall of the tank and insuA lated from said conductors, and means for removably securing the cathode to said sup? ports.

4. An electroplating .apparatus comprisinga tank, a conductor adjacent the. tank, means to -suspend anodes from said conductor, a cathode provided with means to suspend articles to be plated between such Vanodes, .supports for the cathode adjacent ltothe wall of the tank and insulated from said conductor, said supports having bails i. ing a tank, ajconductor a means to suspend anodes ductor, va cathode provided with means to suspend articles to be-plated between such apart adjacent cathode adjacent o the wall `o ling a tank, apart, one of said conductors being supanodes, su ports for the cathode adjacent to the tank and'insulated from said ports having bails and the wall o conductor, said su vlevers connected l'with saidbails for securing the cathode upon thesupports.

6. An electroplating apparatus comprising a tank, a conductor adjacent the tank, means to suspend anodes from said conductor, a cathode provided with means to suspend articles to be pla-ted between such anodes, su ports for vthe cathode adjacent to the wal ofthe tank'and insulated from said conductor, said supports havin bails, heads movably connected with sai bails and levers for clamping said heads-upon the cathode. Y 7. An leleetroplating appa-ratus comprising a tank, a plurality of conductors spaced the tank, means to suspend anodes from said-conductors, a cathode provided with mea tri-suspend articles to be plated between su h anodes, suipports for the the tank and insulated from said conductors, Hbails adjustably connected 'with said su ports, and levers connected with said bails gir securing the cathode to the supports.

8. An electroplating apparatus compris-- ing a tank,,a conductoradjacent the tank, means to suspend anodes from said conductor; aI-lcathode provided with means to suspend articles to beplated between such anodes, vsupports for the cathode adjacent to the wall of the tank and insulated from said conductor, said' supports lhaving keepers, bails slidably connected-with said keepers and levers connected with the bails for securing the cathode to the supports.

9. An electroplating apparatus comprisannular conductors spaced ported by the tank, a

base supporting the lnner conductor,

means for supporting an intermediate conductor whereby spaces are formed between ode having means to support articles to be plated in lthe spaces between said anodes,

' and means for supporting saidcathode sep,-

arate from said conductors.'

10. An electroplating apparatus comprising Va tank, annular conductors vspaced apart, one of said conductors being supported by a base supporting the inner conductor, a plurality of' posts supporting an intermediate conductor whereby spaces are formed between said conductors, means to support anodes upon Vsaid conductors, a

' anodes sus said conductors, means to, support anodes upon said conductors, a cathlated in the spaces between said anpd one vof said conductors being'supporte by the tank, a -base supporting the inner` conductor, a plurality of posts supporting an intermediate Aconductor whereby spaces are formed between said conductora-means to su port anodes uponl said conductors, acathodg having means to support articlesrtobe plated in the spaces between said anodes, means for supporting said cathode separate from said conductors, a colnvluct'or rod Secured to said irstnamed rod being secured to Said said cathode independent of said conductors.

12. An electroplating apparatus compris-` ing a tank, a plurality of spaced concentrically disposed conductors located over the tank and electrically connected, meansto suspend anodes from said conductors, and a cathode havingeconcentrically disposed vsupports -spaced tween said conductors for supportlng articles between said anodes. 13. An electroplating apparatus compris- I 'mea-ns to support articles l means for. supporting Said-@model sala;

within sald spaces and means to suppotfg'5- ar conductors spaced a art, 70

conductors, said posts, a cathode* havmg means to support articles tobe'.

g a tank, means for supporting anodes therein, a member in'the lower part of the tank having a recess receiving the-anodes,.a cathode provided with -means to support articles to be plated, and means to support the cathode independent of said anodes.

14. An electroplat-ing apparatus compris-" ing a tank, a conductor adapted-to support anodes therein, a plurality of posts, a consupported by said osts, a grooved member connected with said) posts to receive ended from said conductor, a

centrally disposed post having a conductor Y toA support anodesg..and .provided with a grooved member to receive ano` es Supported by the post, a cathode provided with means to support articles to be plated within the' tank, and means vto support said cathode independent of said anodes.

15. A cathode for an electroplating appaJ ratus comprising a plurality of outwardly disposed arms .and a disposed conductors arms, said arms projecting beyond the outer conductorto engage contacts'.

16. A cathode for an electroplating apparatus .compris`mg a centrally disposed conductr plate, arms secured to said plate and annularly disposedV conductors connected to said arms, the outer-ends o f said arms projecting'beyond the outer conductor.

17. A cathode for-an electroplating 'apparatus comprising a centrally disposed metal head, radially dlspovsed arms secured to and plurality of -annularly' connected with said` outwardly disposed conductor `projecting from said head, and concentric circularlydisposed conductors spacedA apart" 1supports and provided with conductors se;

cured to said arms, and means for supporting articles from said spider.

19. An electr`oplating apparatus comprising a tank, means to support :modes therein,

'conductor supports iocated above the tank and extending inwardiy thereof, a cathode provided with arms carried by said supports, and means for suspending articles from said arms. Y 20. An electroplating apparatus comprising a tank, means to support anodes therein, conductorsupports located above the tank and extending inwardly thereof, a cathode provided with outwardly disposed arms carried by said supports, circularly disposed conductors connected with said arms, and means to support articles from said conductors. A

21. An electroplating apparatus comprising a tank, means to support anodes therein, posts adjacent said tank, supports carried by said posts and projecting inwardly radially of the tank, a cathode having radially disposed arms carried by said supports, and means to support articles from sald cathode.

22. An electroplating apparatus comprising a tank, means to support anodes therein, posts adjacent said tank, supports carried by said posts and projecting inwardly radially of the tank, a cathode having radially disposed arms carried by said supports, said cathode having circularly disposed conductors spaced apart and secured to said arms, and means Vto support articles from said conductors.

23. In an eiectroplating apparatus the combination of a plurality of tanks each tank being provided with a, conductor, and means to suspend anodes therefrom, each tank also being provided with a plurality of supports for cathodes adjacent the upper part of the tank` said conductors being connected in multipie with oneV side of a circuit and said supports being connected in multiple with the o posite side of said-circuit.

24. in an e ectroplating apparatus the combination of a piurality of tanksl each tank being provided with a conductor, and means to suspend anodes therefrom, each tank also being provided with a plurality of supports for cathodes adjacent the vupper part of the tank, said conductors being con'- uected in multiple with one side of a `circuit and said supports being connected in multiple with the opposite side of said circuit, and a cathode provided with arms to be supported by said supports, and means for suspending articles -to be plated from said cathode.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New-York this 31st `day of December, A. D. 1910.

GEORGE A. LUTZ.

Witnesses: i

RALPH H. RAPHAEL, T. F.'B0URNE. 

